Deer Park discus standout practiced at underestimation

Bryant's best deceiving

Published 5:30 am, Thursday, May 13, 2004

One of Ashley Bryant's `worst' throws of the year could wind up helping her earn a Class 5A state discus championship.

"I thought it was really bad," the Deer Park High School sophomore said of her 135-foot Region III-5A winning toss a couple weeks ago. "It was really low to the ground. When they called out my mark, I thought they said 113 (feet). Then, it turned out to be 135. I thought, 'Man, the wind must have caught that.' It was great."

If Bryant is able to throw 135 feet again at the Class 5A state meet, she could easily go home with a gold medal. Not bad for someone who finished fourth at the District 23-5A meet as a freshman.

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"There is another girl who has thrown 140," Bryant said. "But if I can throw 135 again, I should at least get second or third. That would be very exciting."

"She has improved 20 feet in one year," Deer Park girls track coach Mike Walker said. "And she is only going to get better.

"At regionals, she threw what we like to call a line drive, but it went 135 feet. She has got so much zip in her arm. We are really excited about her. For a kid to improve that much in one year, she has a chance to be a great one."

Bryant said last year's fourth-place finish at district was a big motivator this season.

"When I didn't get to go to regionals (last year), I was determined to come back and win district and at least go to regionals this season," she said. "Making it this far is just unbelievable."

The 6-foot Bryant also plays middle hitter on the Deer Park volleyball team and admitted that she "was on JV most of last year, but I did get pulled up to varsity for the playoffs."

In fact, she went to say that volleyball probably is her favorite sport.

"I like contact sports," she said. "Track is fun, but it is more laid back."

However, it does offer control, which she likes.

"The thing about track is that you are the only person who can win it," she said.

Bryant won the District 23-5A meet with a throw of 128 feet. She also threw 130 feet at the Pearland meet.

"My goal now is to throw 135 or higher," she said. "I just have to make sure I have my form. My coaches won't be able to be down there with me (at state)."

Bryant, who is scheduled to throw at noon Saturday, started tossing the shot put and discus in the seventh grade.

"I think the first time I threw the discus I was somewhere in the 60s," she said. "I was better at shot put than discus in junior high. But this year, the discus has gone really well for me. I have really gotten a lot quicker through the ring. I have put it all together this year.

"I think it is just really neat to go as a sophomore. I have two more years to win it."